Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'gutter'

English Word: gutter

Key Russian Translations:

• желоб (/ʐɨˈlob/) - [Formal, Singular, Used in construction or architectural contexts]
• водосток (/vədɐˈstok/) - [Informal, Plural possible, Used when referring to drainage systems in everyday language]

Frequency: Medium (Common in technical and everyday discussions about buildings and weather, but not in casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic noun declensions and vocabulary related to infrastructure)

Pronunciation (Russian):

желоб: /ʐɨˈlob/

водосток: /vədɐˈstok/

Note on желоб: The initial 'ж' sound is a voiced retroflex fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds similar to the 's' in 'measure'. Variations may occur in dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A channel or trough that carries away rainwater from a roof.

Translation(s) & Context:

• желоб - Used in formal or technical descriptions of building structures.
• водосток - Applied in broader contexts, such as urban drainage or home maintenance.

Usage Examples:

• На крыше дома установлен железный желоб для отвода дождевой воды.

  On the roof of the house, an iron gutter is installed to drain rainwater.

• Весной водостоки часто забиваются листьями и мусором.

  In spring, gutters often get clogged with leaves and debris.

• Строители проверили желоб, чтобы убедиться, что он не протекает.

  The builders checked the gutter to make sure it wasn't leaking.

• В старом городе водостоки сделаны из камня и имеют историческое значение.

  In the old city, gutters are made of stone and have historical significance.

Meaning 2: A low or degraded state (metaphorical, e.g., in sports or behavior, though less common for 'gutter').

Translation(s) & Context:

• желоб - Rarely used metaphorically, but possible in literary contexts for a 'low point'.

Usage Examples:

• После поражения команда упала в желоб, но вскоре вернулась к победам.

  After the defeat, the team fell into the gutter but soon returned to victories.

• В его жизни был период, когда он скатился в желоб нищеты.

  In his life, there was a period when he sank into the gutter of poverty.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'желоб' and 'водосток' are masculine nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard masculine declension patterns. 'Желоб' is typically singular and has regular inflections, while 'водосток' can be used in plural forms.

Note: These are regular patterns; no irregularities for these words.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • водослив (slightly more specific to water overflow)
  • лоток (used for channels or troughs in various contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • вершина (peak, as in the opposite of a low point)
  • высота (height, metaphorically)

Related Phrases:

• Очистить желоб от листьев - Clean the gutter from leaves (Common maintenance phrase in residential contexts).
• Засоренный водосток - Clogged gutter (Used when discussing blockages in plumbing or outdoor systems).
• Желоб дождя - Rain gutter (Direct reference to weather-related drainage).

Usage Notes:

'Желоб' is the most precise translation for 'gutter' in architectural contexts and is preferred in formal writing. 'Водосток' is more versatile and can imply a system rather than a single component. English speakers should note that Russian nouns decline based on case, so always check the context for correct form (e.g., use genitive for possession). When choosing between translations, opt for 'желоб' in technical discussions and 'водосток' for everyday scenarios.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'желоб' in plural without proper context, e.g., saying "желобы" when referring to a single item. Correct: Use singular for individual gutters and ensure case agreement, e.g., "в желобе" (in the gutter) instead of "в желоб". Explanation: Russian requires precise declension; beginners often overlook case endings.

• Error: Confusing 'желоб' with 'канал' (channel), which is broader. Correct: 'Желоб' specifically means a gutter, not a general water channel. Explanation: This can lead to miscommunication in technical translations.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, gutters and drainage systems are often symbolic of urban resilience, especially in cities like Moscow with harsh winters. Historically, poorly maintained gutters could lead to flooding, reflecting themes of neglect in literature, such as in works by Chekhov where infrastructure failures mirror societal issues.

Related Concepts:

• крыша (roof)
• дренаж (drainage)
• сток (outflow)